In a media meet held on Monday (August 4), the Indian Football Association (IFA), the governing body of football in West Bengal, announced their agreement with Allied Blenders and Distillers Pvt Ltd. (ABD) under which, Officer’s Choice Blue will be the Title Sponsor for the forthcoming Calcutta Football League Premier Division – A for the next 4 years.

Earlier, ABD had also supported various events of IFA , which included District League and IFA Shield. Through such Title Sponsorship, ABD is confident of increasing visibility of the brand substantially.

In the media meet, IFA also circulated the complete fixture of the Officer’s Choice Blue Calcutta Football League Premier Division – A 2015-16, which is the top most division of Calcutta Football League, which started in 1898 and  is the oldest and  biggest league in Asia and one of the oldest league in the world having nearly 8,500 registered players in Calcutta Football League.

This season a total of eleven teams, who last year participated in the Championship round of Calcutta Football League  Premier Division, will be playing in the Officer’s Choice Blue Calcutta Football League Premier Division – A. The participating teams are:

• Army XI Club
• Aryan Club
• B N R Recreation Club
• East Bengal Club
• Kalighat M S
• Md. Sporting Club
• Mohun Bagan A C
• Police A C
• Sports Authority of India
• Southern Samity
• Tollygunge Agragami

Four teams finishing at the bottom of the league table of Officer’s Choice Blue Calcutta Football League  Premier Division – A will exchange their position in 2016-17 with the four teams finishing at the top of Calcutta Football League Premier Division 2015-16.

These eleven teams, which includes two I-League playing teams from Bengal i.e, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan will be vying for the coveted top slot of Officer’s Choice Blue Calcutta Football League Premier Division – A 2015-16  where the Champion will get Rs. 25 lacs and the Runners Up will get Rs. 20 lac as Prize Money. Apart from  the Prize Money for Champions and Runners Up, there are also financial awards for teams finishing at 3 to 7 based on their ranking in the tournament.

The matches of Officer’s Choice Blue Calcutta Football League Premier Division – A will be primarily played in the following grounds:
• East Bengal / Aryan Ground.
• Mohun Bagan / CFC Ground.
• Mohammedan Sporting / Howrah Union Ground.
• Vidyasagar Krirangan (Barasat Stadium)
• Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium)

Speaking  on  the occasion, Utpal Kumar Ganguli, Hony. Secretary of IFA, who is also the Vice Chairman of ABD said “IFA welcomes their association with Officer’s Choice Blue as the Title Sponsor of Officer’s Choice Blue Calcutta Football League Premier Division – A and sincerely thank ABD for extending their support to Calcutta Football League Premier Division – A in particular and football in Bengal, in general. The association between IFA and ABD will help improving the standard and quality of Officer’s Choice Blue  Calcutta Football League Premier Division – A and we hope, it will increase the league’s excitement in the days to come”.

Ganguli further expressed his appreciation for the support extended by Star Group, who are the Television Sponsor for Officer’s Choice Blue Calcutta Football League Premier Division – A and have decided to telecast live this year‟s 33 matches out of 55 matches of Officer’s Choice Blue Calcutta Football League Premier Division – A.

In a message sent from Mumbai, Bikram Basu, Chief Operating Officer, Sales & Marketing of Allied Blenders & Distillers said, “Football is sure to regain its eminence and trend as a major sport. The Calcutta Football League is one of India’s premier tournaments, and Officer’s Choice Blue takes pride in firming a long term association with IFA. With  this Officer’s Choice Blue scores a beauty in it’s bond with the City of Joy.”

An official spokesperson of Star said, “We have witnessed the birth of a footballing nation post the  inaugural season of the Hero Indian Super League. As the leading broadcaster in the state, our association with IFA is a strategic step towards strengthening relationship with football loving audience in Bengal. We would like to elevate the viewers’ experience to a new level by showcasing intimate details and capturing raw emotions on the field through use of technology. We are happy to partner with IFA for the telecast of Officer’s Choice Blue Calcutta Football League Premier Division – A.”

Star Group also highlighted for enhancing the broadcast quality and viewers experience, they will be taking various steps, which includes:

1. Tight Scheduling – giving the league a tournament like character
a. All derby games scheduled on Sundays
b. Matches to be telecast everyday at same time. Kick-off at 15.30 IST
c. League to be held at one go – no breaks in between

2. Production scale up
a. Use of Super Slow Motion and Reverse angle camera.
b. Ten camera replay to be used in broadcast
c. Stylish Pre Mid Post match analysis with female anchors/host and noted ex-footballers as experts
d. Two commentators and one football expert to work in tandem in the commentary box.
e. Quality in match graphics at par with international football telecast

3. Promotion – high decibel promotion on
a. Major broadcast vehicles – Star Jalsha and Jalsha Movies
b. Digital platforms and OOH sites

About Allied Blenders and Distillers Pvt Ltd
Allied Blenders and Distillers Pvt Ltd (ABD), a Kishore Chhabria promoted company, owns the famous Officer’s Choice brand and the portfolio also includes Officer’s Choice Blue, Officer’s Choice Black. ABD is the 3rd largest spirits company in India with volumes of 32 million cases for the year 2014 – 2015 and growing at a  CAGR of 26%  over the last 3 years making it the fastest growing spirits company in India. ABD possesses strong National sales and distribution network and a Pan-India manufacturing base that includes 50 manufacturing / bottling units and 15 sales offices in 22 states across the country. A highly aggressive and committed team with a proven track record enhances the company‟s vision to be „the most admired spirits company‟.